Robert Shepherd was graded with Wests along with team mate Harold Rankine from the Homebush Junior Club in 1932.
He played lower grades in 1932, but received the opportunity to play First Grade at the start of 1933.
Robert played one First Grade game with Wests before taking up an offer with the Cessnock Club in the Hunter Valley. He spent the 1933 season there with fellow Wests player Harold Rankine.
Both had been granted clearances by Wests as they had suffered from a long run of unemployment. The players were compelled to grasp any opportunity to tide them over the winter months.
This was the era of the Great Depression.
After the 28 day residential qualification period Robert could take up his position of five-eighth in the Cessnock team.
